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COAA-VA Spring 2026 Workshop

Tuesday, March 10, 2026
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (EDT)

George Mason University - Fuse at Mason Square

3401 Fairfax Drive
Arlington, VA 22226
United States

* Registration open until 3/10/26 at 12:00 AM (EDT)

Event Details

COAA-VA Spring 2026 Workshop

Designing, Delivering, and Activating Innovation at Mason Square

Join the COAA-VA Chapter for a full-day, immersive workshop at George Mason University’s Fuse at Mason Square, a first-of-its-kind academic and innovation facility designed to support Virginia’s growing tech and research ecosystem.

This Owner-focused program will take participants inside the planning, delivery, and long-term partnership strategies behind Mason Square—exploring how institutions can leverage innovative project delivery, Public-Private Partnerships – Leveraging Strengths, and workforce development to create flexible, future-ready campuses.

What to Expect:

  • A behind-the-scenes look at Fuse at Mason Square, including guided tours of building systems, labs, and innovation spaces

  • Owner-led insights into Public-Private Partnerships – Leveraging Strengths, examining how this P3 differs from Mason’s previous partnerships and what contributed to its long-term success

  • COAA CARES, a hands-on community service experience that reflects COAA’s commitment to giving back—providing a meaningful opportunity to support charitable organizations, foster connection, and create a lasting impact beyond the jobsite

  • Practical discussion on the construction craft workforce challenge, including labor availability, training pipelines, and the role Owners can play in driving change

  • Perspectives on plaza programming and activation, highlighting how campus public spaces can support innovation, engagement, and community connection

The day will conclude with a networking happy hour, offering time to continue conversations with fellow Owners, partners, and industry leaders in a collaborative setting.

Whether you’re planning your next major campus project, navigating P3 delivery models, or looking to better align facilities with workforce and community needs, this workshop offers timely insights and real-world lessons you can apply immediately.

Amanda Bergin
Amanda Bergin Associate Principal - Senior Project Manager Page, now Stantec (VA)
Jeff Bonvechio
Jeff Bonvechio Regional Vice President Brailsford & Dunlavey, Inc.
Sylvia Bowman
Sylvia Bowman Principal CertiFloor
Deisy Brangman
Deisy Brangman Brailsford & Dunlavey, Inc.
Matthew Brassard
Matthew Brassard Vice President, Mid-Atlantic Regional Manager Nitsch Engineering
Dan Buchta
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Dan Buchta Vice President Barton Malow
John Carty
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John Carty Managing Director Nitsch Engineering
Casey Clark
Casey Clark Project Manager Whiting-Turner (Roanoke, VA)
Brenda L Claudio Cruz
Brenda L Claudio Cruz Project Manager George Mason University
Alexandra Clayton
Alexandra Clayton BDM High Construction Company
Scott Cryer
Scott Cryer Principal HGA Architects & Engineers (Alexandria, VA)
Jennings Davis
Jennings Davis Program Manager MBP
Connie Fan
Connie Fan president LSG Landscape Architecture
Katie Fanaday
Katie Fanaday Edgemoor Infrastructure & Real Estate
Carlos Garcia
Carlos Garcia Sr. Chief Engineer Cushman & Wakefield (Baltimore, MD)
Tyler Gifford
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Tyler Gifford Deputy Chief of Construction - Facilities Planning & Construction County of Albemarle
Christopher Greaney
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Christopher Greaney Director of Business Development Affiliated Engineers (AEI)
Alex Iszard
Alex Iszard George Mason University
Stacey Juran
Stacey Juran Mid Atlantic Region Business Developer IMEG (VA)
Sarah Keane
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Sarah Keane Sr. Principal, Marketing Principal HOK (DC)
Ken Keyser
Ken Keyser Vice President Clark Construction (Richmond, VA)
Jerry Lefever
Jerry Lefever Project Manager Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab
Jamie Martin
Jamie Martin Edgemoor Infrastructure & Real Estate
Bill Masson
Bill Masson Development Manager Edgemoor Infrastructure & Real Estate
Mark McCauley
Mark McCauley Arlington Economic Development Arlington Economic Development
Rob McClure
Rob McClure Page, now Stantec (VA)
Jeff Moore
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Jeff Moore Contract Administration Services Assoc Director University of Virginia Facilities Management
Dan Morton
Dan Morton Senior Engineer, Energy & MEP Group Leader WileylWilson
Stacy Natoli
Stacy Natoli Project Manager George Mason University
Mike Newman
Mike Newman Business Development Manager Timmons Group (Ashburn, VA)
Wayne Nickles
Wayne Nickles HOK (DC)
Tim O'Connell
Tim O'Connell HOK (DC)
Paul O'Keef
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Paul O'Keef Assistant Director, Capital Planning & Construction Radford University
Casey Parker
Casey Parker Associate Principal, Client Executive PBK Architects
Todd Pedersen
Todd Pedersen Real Estate Director VHB
David Prevette
David Prevette Vice President Moseley
Pete Price
Pete Price Owner Fall Line LLC
Beth Resetco
Beth Resetco Director SmithGroup (WDC)
Will Ritmiller
Will Ritmiller Project Manager The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company (MD)
Tracy Ruby
Tracy Ruby Business Development Manger Warfel Construction Company (VA)
Jackie Ryan
Jackie Ryan Business Development Director Skanska (MD)
Malik Salifu
Malik Salifu Construction Manager/Owner's Rep Bawku Crossroads, LLC
Steve Schwenk
Steve Schwenk Architect Quinn Evans Architects
Justin Shultz
Justin Shultz Page, now Stantec (VA)
Caroline Sonner
Caroline Sonner Senior Project Manager George Mason University
Virginia Steele
Virginia Steele Director of Program Management George Mason University
Frank Strike
Frank Strike Vice President, Facilities George Mason University
Maria Tatarczuk
Maria Tatarczuk Associate Vice President / Business Development HGA Architects and Engineers
Jennifer Taylor
Jennifer Taylor President & CEO Northern Virginia Technology Council
Mike Taylor
Mike Taylor Business Development Bala Consulting Engineers
Melissa Thierry
Melissa Thierry Director, University Life Regional Campuses George Mason University
Nick Valadez
Nick Valadez Senior Project Manager George Mason University
Anthony Verdi
Anthony Verdi Federal Practice Leader Gordon
Bill Vest
Bill Vest Senior Project Manager Timmons Group (GA)
Matt Waguespack AIA
Matt Waguespack AIA Principal VLK Architects (VA)
Liza Wilson Durant
Liza Wilson Durant Associate Provost Strategic Initiatives and Community Engagement George Mason University
Kristina Winn
Kristina Winn Project Manager Moseley
Cathy Wolfe-Pinskey
Cathy Wolfe-Pinskey George Mason University Director Program Management George Mason University
Kim Wood
Kim Wood Vice President Clark Construction (Richmond, VA)

Tentative Agenda

3/10 Session
8:30 am - 9:30 am Registration and Networking
9:30 am - 10:00 am Welcome and Introductions
10:00 am - 11:15 am

Fuse at Mason Square – Designing and Building a Facility to Support Virginia’s Tech Talent Pipeline

As part of this session, attendees will participate in a guided tour of Fuse at Mason Square. Please select one tour option at registration. Space is limited for each tour group.

  • Building Automation Systems (BAS) Tour

  • Lab & Innovation Spaces Tour

Tour selections are required to help us manage group sizes and ensure the best possible experience for all participants.

11:30 am - 12:30 pm COAA CARES
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

Lunch

1:30 pm - 3:00 pm Public Private Partnerships – Leveraging Strengths 
3:00 pm - 3:15 pm

Break

3:15 pm - 3:45 pm Crafting Futures
3:45 pm - 4:15 pm Plaza Programming and Activation
4:15 pm - 4:30 pm

Closing Remarks

4:30 pm

Networking Happy Hour

Registration Rates
COAA Owner Members $55
COAA Associate Members $85
Non-member Owners $65
Non-member Associates  $110

Thank You to Our Event Sponsors!

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors